Remote Procurement Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

YMCA of the USA is seeking a highly capable, relationship-oriented procurement leader to build and lead a modern procurement function that serves both Y-USA and the broader YMCA movement.

This is an opportunity for a builder. The Director will help shape and strengthen Y-USA's procurement and contract administration capabilities while leading cross-functional efforts to create a more efficient, service-oriented experience for staff, vendors, and local Ys. The role will drive operational excellence through process improvement, stakeholder engagement, and strong compliance and risk management practices.

This role has two major areas of responsibility:

First, the Director will lead the design, launch, and ongoing management of Y-USA’s Preferred Vendor Program—a national program intended to help local Ys save money, reduce administrative burden, and access favorable vendor terms negotiated by Y-USA. Local Ys will make their own contracting decisions, but the program will provide access to Y-USA-negotiated pricing, terms, administrative fee or revenue-share arrangements, and clear information to support informed decision-making.

Second, the Director will establish a service-oriented procurement process that helps colleagues get what they need while improving consistency, transparency, and organizational value. This role will strengthen Y-USA’s internal procurement practices through vendor selection, RFP/RFQ processes, pricing analysis, negotiations, purchasing support, and procurement policy improvements. The Director will work closely with Legal, Contract Administration, Technology, Strategic Events & Engagement, Finance, and other internal teams to support effective decision-making, strong service delivery, and operational effectiveness.

The successful candidate will be a strong communicator, trusted collaborator, skilled negotiator, and practical problem-solver who can take a broad vision and turn it into a disciplined, high-impact operating model.

The Financial Services department stewards the organization’s financial integrity and sustainability by providing accurate reporting, effective financial operations, and trusted financial leadership. We are responsible for enterprise financial reporting, grants and tax reporting, accounts receivable and payable, endowment management, budget development, and annual K1X reporting for local Ys. In partnership with local Ys, we develop financial support estimates, manage related billing and collections, and promote consistency, transparency, and accountability across the Movement. Through strong systems, sound judgment, and a commitment to leading practices, Financial Services supports informed decisionmaking and strengthens the financial capacity of Ys nationwide.

• Design, launch, and manage Y-USA's Preferred Vendor Program.
• Identify strategic sourcing opportunities and negotiate favorable pricing, terms, and revenue-share arrangements.
• Develop vendor participation standards, due diligence requirements, performance expectations, and renewal processes.
• Partner with YPG, GroPro, and other purchasing organizations to complement existing programs.
• Serve as a strategic relationship manager for participating vendors and purchasing partners, helping expand program value, adoption, and long-term sustainability across the YMCA movement.
• Monitor adoption, savings, participation, and overall program effectiveness, recommending continuous improvements.

• Lead sourcing, RFP/RFQ processes, vendor selection, contract negotiations, and purchasing strategy.
• Advise business leaders on sourcing decisions that balance cost, quality, service, compliance, and risk.
• Support procurement for technology, SaaS, consulting, professional services, events, travel, facilities, and operational purchases.
• Evaluate procurement technologies and recommend system or process improvements.

• Lead the assessment, design, implementation, and continuous improvement of procurement, contracting, vendor onboarding, and supplier management processes in partnership with Legal, Finance, Technology, and business stakeholders.
• Support efficient contract execution by clarifying roles, improving handoffs, maintaining documentation, and helping vendors and internal teams move smoothly through the process.
• Ensure new vendor onboarding documentation is complete and procurement records are maintained.
• Develop standard templates, workflows, and communications.
• Monitor renewals, pricing, vendor performance, and contractual obligations.

• Develop and maintain procurement policies, approval thresholds, and sourcing standards.
• Create templates, dashboards, and reporting for spend, savings, renewals, and vendor performance.
• Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Foster a collaborative, service-focused procurement culture focused on organizational value.

• Successful implementation of a trusted Preferred Vendor Program delivering measurable value to local Ys.
• Stronger strategic supplier relationships and effective collaboration with YMCA purchasing organizations.
• Improved procurement efficiency, sourcing consistency, and contract management.
• Greater visibility into spend, savings, renewals, and vendor performance.
• Procurement is viewed as a strategic business partner that balances service, value, and risk.
• Procurement, contracting, and vendor onboarding processes are streamlined, consistently followed, well-documented, and provide a positive stakeholder experience.
• Roles, responsibilities, and handoffs among stakeholders, Procurement, Legal, Finance, and Contract Administration are clearly defined and operating effectively.

A successful candidate will possess a majority of the following professional and personal attributes and competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, supply chain, nonprofit management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 4–8 years of progressive procurement, strategic sourcing, vendor management, contract administration, or related experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading RFP/RFQ processes, vendor negotiations, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Experience developing procurement policies, processes, templates, and reporting.
• Experience with procurement, contract management, ERP, or sourcing platforms preferred (e.g., Fairmarkit, Cvent, Reposite).
• Professional procurement certification preferred.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, communication, relationship management, and project management skills.
• Ability to build scalable procurement programs and collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.

We offer a full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, defined benefit plan (retirement savings), defined contribution plan (403(b) plan, life and disability insurances, technology stipend, and generous paid time off, all in a work from anywhere within the continental U.S. workplace.